Saginaw-area musicians sought for first-ever major performance

Local organizers are hoping to bring a Lamb of God performance, like the one shown here last year in Kalamazoo, to the Tri-Cities. The renowned performance is slated for the first time in Midland this year. Lamb of God board members are currently seeking volunteers from Saginaw-area churches and the community.
Courtesy Photo Two Saginaw Township residents are planning to help bring a worldwide performance to the area. They are currently seeking musicians and residents from the Saginaw community to participate.

The musical retelling, titled Lamb of God, details the final days of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, co-organizer Elizabeth Deibel said. She and sister-in-law, Sarah Jane Deibel, are working with others in the area to bring the event to the Tri-Cities for the first time this year.

The group is seeking musicians for a large choir, full orchestra and vocal solos; as well as narrators and volunteers who can help promote the production.

They said Lamb of God productions are performed annually around the world, across dozens of faiths by thousands of musicians.

Last year, it’s estimated over 4,000 participants around the world participated in locally-produced performances in places like Kalamazoo, and as far away as the Netherlands and Buenos Aires.

The Kalamazoo production, in its fifth year, is a collaboration of over 200 community members from over 50 churches, Elizabeth said.

The non-denominational, nonprofit organization has slated its first Lamb of God performance at the Midland Center for the Arts on March 8, 2019.

“Our goal is to build bridges of faith and unity as community members join together to perform this beautiful oratorio,” Sarah Jane said.

Right now, Lamb of God Midland has several community leaders committed, and is hoping to get more churches and organizers on-board to partner in the project.

“We are hoping to have most of the needed musicians committed by November, and we also need sponsors now during the planning period,” she said.

The Lamb of God performance is a contemporary oratorio by Rob Gardner, that uses the New Testament of the Bible as its sole source of material for its composition.

To sign up for the Midland performance, or for more information including the upcoming rehearsal schedule, visit lambofgodmidland.org, (which directs to the group’s Facebook page).

“We are excited about the power and unity our communities can experience by bringing various people together in a common purpose,” Sarah Jane said.